Pittsford residents rally against sex offender’s move

After an outcry from neighbors, a Pittsford couple have a change of heart about letting a convicted rapist live with them upon his release from prison.

Dan Goldman, staff writer

Last Thursday, Albert Dickerson was scheduled to be released from the medium-security Mohawk Correctional Facility in Rome, Oneida County.

Plans were in place for Dickerson, a Level 3 sex offender, to move in with two men in the Long Meadow neighborhood in Pittsford — until dozens of worried residents found out and lobbied against the move with signs and a petition containing almost 100 signatures.

Partners Steven Jarose and Marvin Ritzenthaler of 34 Woodland Road said they’ve changed their minds and decided not to allow Dickerson to move into their home. Jarose said the decision was made with “a great deal of reflection and sadness.”

“I respect and understand where people were coming from on both sides and that’s what we took into consideration,” said Ritzenthaler. “As much as we wanted Albert to have this opportunity, we really did put our neighbors ahead in priority.”

Monroe County deputies on Friday, March 20, informed Pittsford Supervisor Bill Carpenter of Dickerson’s potential arrival. The next day, Town Board members went door-to-door in the Long Meadow neighborhood, notifying residents. Word had already spread, though, and signs protesting his arrival went up along Monroe Avenue. The messages included “We do not welcome sex offenders,” and “Keep our family and kids safe.” Deputies had the signs removed.

One resident said she was surprised by the reaction.

“I was disappointed at the apparent closed-mindedness of educated people,” said Woodland Road resident Heidi Northrop. “I felt like I was driving through a lynch zone at some points.”

Ninety-four people signed an online petition to keep Level 3 sex offenders (classified as highest risk to repeat) from moving into the Long Meadow neighborhood. Many who signed the petition declined to comment or hung up when contacted by a reporter.

“We reached a point where we felt this wouldn’t be a safe environment for Albert because of the hostility that had been displayed by the signs in the neighborhood,” Jarose said. “We wanted this to be a time of transition where he could have support, encouragement and structure rather than a vigilante kind of response.”

Dickerson, 60, was convicted of first-degree attempted rape in Erie County in 1974 and, after serving four years, was released. A year later, in 1979, he was convicted in Monroe County of first-degree rape and first-degree attempted rape and sentenced to 12 1/2 to 25 years in prison. His victims, according to the state’s sex offender registry, were 19- and 25-year-old women.

A spokesperson from the state Division of Parole said she could not disclose the date of Dickerson’s pending release. The state Department of Correctional Services on Tuesday confirmed he was still in custody.

Documented
No level 3 Sex offender petition

Risky areas?

Jarose became acquainted with Dickerson 26 years ago through his church. The pastor and Dickerson had exchanged several letters and, when the pastor left the area in 1984, Jarose volunteered to carry on with the correspondence. He and Ritzenthaler have also talked on the phone with Dickerson and visited him in various state prisons.

During those visits, the trio often talked about Dickerson’s rehabilitation.

The pair believe he has changed and that he could make a positive difference in society.

The state Department of Correctional Services spokeswoman said Dickerson has a “satisfactory” disciplinary record in prison. Over the years he has been cited for minor infractions like “possessing an altered item.”

Dickerson served as an inmate facilitator for the Alternatives to Violence program in prison. Ritzenthaler said others who went through the program are in the Rochester community and had expressed an interest in supporting Dickerson upon his release.

Jarose said Dickerson is a talented artist as well, though he hasn’t had access to art supplies in more than 10 years. Dickerson received an associate’s degree at Genesee Community College through a prison education program and was working toward a bachelor’s degree when the program was cut.

Jarose and Dickerson had never before welcomed a sex offender into their home. They said they only wanted to bring in Dickerson because of their long-standing relationship.

Brook Road resident Mary Stachowski said she felt anxious after learning Dickerson might move to the neighborhood because she and her husband have daughters.

“I think the state correctional system should be able to house this individual in some kind of halfway facility — perhaps in a less-populated area,” she said. “This area is close to so many risky areas — Pittsford Plaza, the village, Nazareth College, the canal — and this neighborhood is so wooded, it would be hard to track someone down.”

However, Stachowski also felt bad for Jarose and Ritzenthaler.

“I know it was a difficult decision, and it was a lot of pressure they were put under,” she said. “As much as I did not care to have this individual in the neighborhood, I understand they were trying to do the right thing.”

Like the rest of us

The Division of Parole could not offer specifics on Dickerson’s release obligations, but town officials were told he would have to abide by a curfew from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. and global positioning system (GPS) surveillance by the agency.

Likewise, Northrop, who supported Dickerson’s move into the area, said she had faith in the law and felt the state wouldn’t release him from prison if he was still a threat to society.

“I just see it as everyone has a right to live wherever they want,” she said. “What makes our neighborhood any different?”

As the neighborhood was informed of the situation, Ritzenthaler said there were constantly neighbors at his door — or in his house.

“Everybody who has talked to us on both sides of the issue, who came to this house, were very respectful,” he said.

Jarose said Dickerson’s parole officer said he would be released in the near future. He did not have the date, nor does he know where he will reside.

Jarose and Ritzenthaler are upset they won’t be able to host Dickerson, something they had told him they would like to do.

“He has put a lot of his hope on being able to make it knowing he’s got us to support him,” Jarose said. “And we will support him wherever he is.”

Jarose said he still hopes to see Dickerson the day he arrives home from prison — wherever that is.

“What he needs is people who see Albert and who care about Albert as a human being who belongs in this world — like the rest of us,” Jarose said.

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